The 2024 presidential campaign joined nearly 4,000 delegates and guests in Boston at the IAFF’s 57th Convention.
Both Vice Presidential nominees – Governor Tim Walz (D-M.N.) and Senator J.D. Vance (R-O.H.) – praised the work fire fighters do in their communities and highlighted the courage and bravery regularly displayed by IAFF members nationwide. They also pitched their visions for the nation and the fire service as they asked for the support of North America’s largest labor union for fire fighters and emergency workers.
In remarks on Wednesday, General President Edward Kelly stressed the importance of the IAFF staying politically active.
“We have to play in politics. We have to play hard, and we have to play smart. Our members that elected us deserve nothing less,” he said. “Politics is how we identify our friends and how we spot our enemies.”
Walz, who spoke in Boston on Wednesday, centered his address on his background as a union member, his record of supporting fire fighter issues, and his advocacy for pro-labor legislation in Congress and Minnesota.
“As governor, I was proud to bolster resources for fire fighter training and education, to invest in the equipment and the facilities to keep you safe, and to sign the most comprehensive fire fighter legislation in the nation,” said Walz.
In his speech Thursday, Vance argued he and former President Donald Trump represented a “new kind of Republican party” – one that’s focused on the American worker and supportive of first responders.
“Whatever your politics and whatever your preferences, whether you choose to endorse us or not, President Trump and I believe in our fire fighters. We believe in our first responders, and we will never stop fighting for you.”
While both candidates attacked their opponent’s records, they also gave specifics about how they would improve the lives of the fire fighters if they were to win the White House.
“When we’re in office, we’ll make sure you have all the resources and protections to do your jobs, your service is respected, and that you come home safe every night,” Walz said. “We know who built this country. It’s people like the folks in this room.”
Vance vowed a second Trump administration would have an “open door policy” for labor unions, and would protect fire fighters’ rights to collective bargaining, free speech, and retirement benefits.
“Heroes like you deserve to retire with dignity and to enjoy the blessings of a country you helped build and protect … It’s ridiculous to penalize our fire fighters in retirement for doing the right thing and fighting for their communities.”
Walz and Vance also took time to highlight the personal impact fire fighters have made on them throughout their lives.
Walz told a story of losing “one of our bravest firefighting heroes and a personal friend,” Chris Parsons – a St. Paul Fire Department captain.
“Chris was 6’7 and stood out from any crowd, but it’s hard to imagine that his personality was bigger than that 6’7. He was generous, kind, and funny. Tragically, we lost Chris in the line of duty,” said Walz. “Every hero deserves to come home after every shift.”
Vance spoke of a time when his mother, who struggled with drug addiction for most of his early childhood, was saved by first responders after a particularly bad incident.
“I called 9-1-1 like so many kids whose parents struggled, and the fire fighters, the EMTs, and the police came. They helped calm her down, but they also helped to calm me and my sister down. They did that public service that only they can do.”
With less than 70 days until the presidential election, both speakers made it clear – they want their ticket to be endorsed by the International Association of Fire Fighters. Their visits are part of the union’s ongoing effort to engage in a thorough and transparent endorsement process, which has included multiple focus groups, a survey sent to all members, and town halls held at District Conferences. Additional town halls will be announced soon.
